Handyman Business site review and Seo key words help

[cjd]

A simple website with who you are, what you do, prominent contact details and customer testimonials is all you need. Yes you do need Google Business Profiles so persist.

But to get you going, cheap adverts in local 'parish' mags really work for your kind of business as do door leaflets in 'nice' areas.

 

[Mcallismaint]

A simple website with who you are, what you do, prominent contact details and customer testimonials is all you need. Yes you do need Google Business Profiles so persist.

But to get you going, cheap adverts in local 'parish' mags really work for your kind of business as do door leaflets in 'nice' areas.

Thank you very much.

 

[fisicx]

So to summarise:

1. Google Business Profile. The violations are normally discrepancies in the data.

2. Website. Start again with a proper developer and focus on showing the work you have done.

3. Use social site like nextdoor to look for work.

4. Flyers can work.

5. Get the van wrapped. Park it where people can see it.

 

[Mcallismaint]

So to summarise:

1. Google Business Profile. The violations are normally discrepancies in the data.

2. Website. Start again with a proper developer and focus on showing the work you have done.

3. Use social site like nextdoor to look for work.

4. Flyers can work.

5. Get the van wrapped. Park it where people can see it.

Thank you. Google has unverified me again. Very frustrating. I do still appear on Google however if I type in 'Handyman near me' but I'm sure it will still affect me in other ways. It keeps taking my address out also. My phone number was hidden which I didn't realise so this has now been made public so hopefully it was something like this.

 

[zomex]

I have some experience working closely with a good friend of mine who's a high-end builder. Also fascinated by the industry as a good DIYer

My take on this industry/your business:

- BRAND, BRAND, BRAND - To stand out in the competitive industry you really need a strong brand. Have a good think about your company name, does it stand out? is it memorable? Is it easy to spell? Have a logo designed professionally and focus heavily on colour scheme. Your colour scheme needs to stand out. Check your competition for ideas on what is working. Look at the most successful competitors you have.

- Your website is less likely to be a source of clients at least in the early stages but it's vital to backup your brand and give a professional look to clients who research your business. Do not waist money on a custom website, use WordPress and a good theme to get your website launched with a professional look. Focus on reenforcing your brand. Make sure your website matches your colour scheme and shows your best work. Do not expect your website to bring you in work initially but do expect clients who are considering you to check it as part of their research

- For the above reasons do not waste money hiring SEO "experts" (most are not) or time trying yourself or doing any paid advertising.

- Van wrapping - As another member pointed out this is one of the best marketing tools you have because it's a one-time cost, permanent advert. But do not rush in and get your van wrapped. Make sure you have your brand figured out first. Once you are confident with your branding it will pay off. If you get it done without a clear brand or focus it will be wasted money.

- Also another great thing that has been suggested is to create a Google Business Page for your business. This is free and more likely to get you work than your website. But sounding like a broken record you need a strong brand to stand out.

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As for your website it is not the worst I have seen but could be much better. I would personally suggested starting again with your brand, get that right then move onto your website.

 

[cjd]

Jesus, he's the local handyman, not a biscuit. His 'brand' is his name, his phone number and reputation.

 

[Mcallismaint]

Jesus, he's the local handyman, not a biscuit. His 'brand' is his name, his phone number and reputation.

I think I may get handyman added into my brand on the actual logo for van wrapping because people may think I'm a gardener with the green haha. May be over thinking it but state the obvious to people.

 

[fisicx]

I think I may get handyman added into my brand on the actual logo for van wrapping because people may think I'm a gardener with the green haha. May be over thinking it but state the obvious to people.

Or just use the words handyman on your van. The logo is incidental.

Have you found a new developer? One who knows how to market your business?

 

[zomex]

Jesus, he's the local handyman, not a biscuit. His 'brand' is his name, his phone number and reputation.

Yeah the same as 1000 other people in the area. That was my point. Using your name as a brand is tried and tested as a small company but it is limiting should you wish to eventually scale and/or sell the business in future. A good brand name is stronger and more memorable than an actual name.

I am very familiar with the building industry and I can tell you most guys who run small sole trader companies dream of being able to eventually take a backseat from physical work and focus on building the company. That can only happen with scale so why limit the company from the start?

It all comes down to what the OP wants. There is no right or wrong but to say "he's just the local handyman" is silly. That's like saying Amazon is just a book seller, Netflix just posts DVDs through the post, Google is just a search engine. Businesses evolve, niches are found. Look at the bigger picture.

 

[cjd]

Yeah the same as 1000 other people in the area. That was my point. Using your name as a brand is tried and tested as a small company but it is limiting should you wish to eventually scale and/or sell the business in future. A good brand name is stronger and more memorable than an actual name.

Right, you mean like Marks & Spenser, John Lewis, Morrisons, Channel, Chevrolet, Disney, Nestle etc etc etc

I am very familiar with the building industry and I can tell you most guys who run small sole trader companies dream of being able to eventually take a backseat from physical work and focus on building the company. That can only happen with scale so why limit the company from the start?

Because the name isn't actually limiting is it? Building industry - McAlpine, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, Graham, Hill, Carter, Clegg etc etc In fact in the building industry using a personal name is the norm - check the top 100 builders in the UK.

It all comes down to what the OP wants. There is no right or wrong but to say "he's just the local handyman" is silly. That's like saying Amazon is just a book seller, Netflix just posts DVDs through the post, Google is just a search engine. Businesses evolve, niches are found. Look at the bigger picture.

He's not Amazon, he's not Netflix, he's not Google, in short he's not a global megabrand and he's never going to be. And he's not JUST a handyman - he's a small local business that will grow on trust and word of mouth. There's a demand for reliable tradespeople - it's a good honest business if you get it right.

"Can you recommend someone to fix my rotten windowsill?"
"Yeh, we used a local guy, Ted, he does lots of small jobs round here - really good bloke, I think I've got his card somewhere."

Small, local businesses are personal, particularly those giving personal services, their (good) name is their brand.

 

[zomex]

Right, you mean like Marks & Spenser, John Lewis, Morrisons, Channel, Chevrolet, Disney, Nestle etc etc etc

Because the name isn't actually limiting is it? Building industry - McAlpine, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, Graham, Hill, Carter, Clegg etc etc In fact in the building industry using a personal name is the norm - check the top 100 builders in the UK.

He's not Amazon, he's not Netflix, he's not Google, in short he's not a global megabrand and he's never going to be. And he's not JUST a handyman - he's a small local business that will grow on trust and word of mouth. There's a demand for reliable tradespeople - it's a good honest business if you get it right.

"Can you recommend someone to fix my rotten windowsill?"
"Yeh, we used a local guy, Ted, he just lots of small jobs - really good bloke, I think I've got his card somewhere."

Small, local businesses are personal, particularly those giving personal services, their (good) name is their brand.

Come on really? I was not literally stating that a maintenance company is the same as Netflix or Google. Did you ignore my view point?

My points were missed with you my friend. Yes names can and are used for some of the biggest brands. But to brand a name is very difficult and expensive if we are talking about your examples (single surnames mostly). My point was that small builders are an industry full of names. It's an opportunity to stand out with a unique brand name (which can or can not be a name or part of a name) which should be clear and memorable.

It also went straight over your head my mention of those large tech companies. The point I was making is all of those companies businesses are completely different now than how they started. It was a warning to not use a name that limited opportunity to adapt in the future or the ability to specialise in a service.

M Callis Maintenance is not the same as Clegg, Morrisons, McAlpine. All are names but as I mentioned to brand a name and such as "Callis" would be very expensive such as the examples you have given.

My point was suggesting to be sure of your name, who you are and what you do before you go ahead and get your van wrapped. Don't be another x building & sons with no clear branding because there are thousands of businesses who are the same. Is there anything wrong with that? No but I came at it from a different angle and many companies are repeating this successfully.

M Callis Maintenance tells me that you complete small maintenance jobs on a house and do not specialise in any specific areas. It tells me you are a single person due to the name. It tells me that if I have a job bigger than small then not to hire you. There is nothing wrong with that if that is the business the OP wants to create and stay at. But if you want to eventually grow or scale your business into a brand M Callis Maintenance is too limiting/sole trader sounding of a name.

 

[Paul Carmen]

Some weird ideas on here about brand. For local businesses, especially in the construction/services trades, the quality of your work and getting your reputation out there is the brand. Colours, logos, your name, people don't care.

What they will remember and want to see is your reputation and work. That means lots of real high quality reviews on Google, reviews on your website and other places people look at.

It means quality images of relevant work and testimonials from customers, who other customers can speak to if needed. That sort of thing gets you real local advocates too, who will recommend you on Facebook etc when people want a builder, plumber, roofer...

 

[zomex]

Some weird ideas on here about brand. For local businesses, especially in the construction/services trades, the quality of your work and getting your reputation out there is the brand. Colours, logos, your name, people don't care.

What they will remember and want to see is your reputation and work. That means lots of real high quality reviews on Google, reviews on your website and other places people look at.

It means quality images of relevant work and testimonials from customers, who other customers can speak to if needed. That sort of thing gets you real local advocates too, who will recommend you on Facebook etc when people want a builder, plumber, roofer...

Of course quality of work is the number 1 most important thing and referrals are the strongest form of marketing because we trust good experiences from friends and family more than advertising. But to say customers don't care about brand/colours/name is silly. Whether or not someone thinks they care about it we are wired to form very quick opinions based on what we see. If you are ready to hire a building company you are going to be judging them firstly on their quality of work but also on a range of other things which will vary between person. Their name, their website, their social media activity all has an impact on how professional they come across.

 

[cjd]

Branding - brands/colours/name - is what marketing people use as a poor substitute for actual real reputation.

Marketeers use it to convince customers that don't know them that their products are safe to buy. Real brands - you know, ones you actually recognise - have taken millions to build and maintain. It's in replace of actually knowing a business personally.

Small businesses don't have brands, they have names and they have reputations - ie real, personal stuff.

But of course they need names and stationary and business cards and leaflets and so on. But if they spend more than a couple of hours thinking about it they're thinking about the wrong things. And if they think what they're doing is developing a brand they're away with the fairies.

 

[zomex]

Branding - brands/colours/name - is what marketing people use as a poor substitute for actual real reputation.

Marketeers use it to convince customers that don't know them that their products are safe to buy. Real brands - you know, ones you actually recognise - have taken millions to build and maintain. It's in replace of actually knowing a business personally.

Small businesses don't have brands, they have names and they have reputations - ie real, personal stuff.

But of course they need names and stationary and business cards and leaflets and so on. But if they spend more than a couple of hours thinking about it they're thinking about the wrong things. And if they think what they're doing is developing a brand they're away with the fairies.

^ in your opinion. I disagree with your take.

You seem to be taking the word "brand" as me thinking of huge corporations. You think there is nothing about brands that can be applied on a small scale to a local business which is backwards thinking. A brand can be recognised locally or within the building industry of a local area. Or a name that building merchants remember because it stands out.

A logo/colour scheme/name that is bold, unique & memorable. Clothing with the same logo/colour scheme. Van wrapped with the same branding/colour scheme.

Everything flows together, gives a professional look and reinforces the clients confidence.

Is it as important as the work quality? no definitely not but it's the fine details that help a company stand out in such a competitive market.

Also don't forget as a new builder for example they need to get that first client in order to start building a reputation. Giving a professional look is going to make that job easier. Let's not forget the horror stories of bad building company experiences. It's highly likely that your average client is going to do some good research before hiring a builder in this day and age.

 

[fisicx]

Yeah the same as 1000 other people in the area.

Except there isn't 1000 handymen in the area. Same as many local trades. In many cases they don't need a lot of marketing, a GBP with some decent reviews is sufficient for many. Word of mouth is a strong lead generator. You may consider these their 'brand' but mention that to your average roofer and you will get blank looks. At best they might wear a branded sweatshirt but getting their van wrapped is inviting ne'er do wells to nick it.

And brand =/= branding. Two connected but very different things.

 

[stokes89]

My take would be to setup GBP with it set up well, post all recent work and push for reviews. I’d definitely set up on next door and Facebook. There are a few who do very well on Facebook in my local by posting recent videos of their work in local groups, they also try to help in the local community too and not just try to sell their services all the time.

Regarding the brand side if you just want to stay as a local handyman I would just use your own name, look presentable, be respectable and most of all turn up when you say to quote and do the job MANY don’t.
I think the issue using your own name once you want to expand especially with employees they want to see you there and doing the job.

 

[zomex]

I think the issue using your own name once you want to expand especially with employees they want to see you there and doing the job.

Finally someone else said the same. If you want to be a handyman without employees that is fine, use your name. If you want to eventually scale to a bigger business using your name (not to be confused with a single surname which could be branded) has its drawbacks. Can still be done and there's lots of companies out there who do but it's not always ideal.

Except there isn't 1000 handymen in the area. Same as many local trades. In many cases they don't need a lot of marketing, a GBP with some decent reviews is sufficient for many. Word of mouth is a strong lead generator. You may consider these their 'brand' but mention that to your average roofer and you will get blank looks. At best they might wear a branded sweatshirt but getting their van wrapped is inviting ne'er do wells to nick it.

And brand =/= branding. Two connected but very different things.

It all comes down to the goals long term. I don't disagree if the OP doesn't have plans to scale in future. There is nothing wrong with using your name and completing local jobs as a small business. My advice was around having the options to more easily scale to something bigger in future should the OP choose or desire to. There are plenty of traders out there who choose not to scale because it's a big head ache managing people. Some others dream of growing that kind of business. There is no right or wrong.

 

[stokes89]

Finally someone else said the same. If you want to be a handyman without employees that is fine, use your name. If you want to eventually scale to a bigger business using your name (not to be confused with a single surname which could be branded) has its drawbacks. Can still be done and there's lots of companies out there who do but it's not always ideal.

Yes it will definitely take more work and a change of plan.

I also agree a lot by what you say with logos, colour and presentation. If I saw a well presented company and one which wasn’t I know who I’d contact first if it hadn’t came as a recommendation.

 

[Paul Carmen]

I think the issue using your own name once you want to expand especially with employees they want to see you there and doing the job.

This is completely untrue, many companies like this started with 'and son', or 'builders' or 'partners' etc in their name, they either just drop that bit in future, or in many cases simply continue to use it.

Two of the biggest building companies locally to me have their name and what they do in their brand, one is called "XYZ" & Son and employ thousands as a national contractor and turn over £200m plus, the other "ABC" Builders is local, does building work and extensions, but has about ten teams on the go at any one time.

But to say customers don't care about brand/colours/name is silly

They really don't. We changed the entire colour way of a client's site and logo last year. We advised them not to do it, as the site had been honed and A/B tested and generated thousands of leads a month at around 40% conversion rate. The site layout, CTAs & button boldness etc was the same, but totally different colours and logo, it made almost no difference to lead performance.

We carried out another logo change for another SME brand, again on a well optimised site. The client got a marketing agency to look at the logo, spent a lot of money and made changes based on directions about brand positioning etc. They asked us to measure the effectiveness of the change; we created surveys and monitored lead performance. Most customers didn't notice the change, and it had zero impact on website lead performance.

I used to work for a large national retailer, who spent millions on a brand and logo change, again the vast majority of customers didn't notice, and it had no impact on the website sales conversion rate. HP spent a lot money on a minimalist logo change a few years ago, only to find that the customer feedback was they no longer recognised the brand, as they didn't recognise the new logo, so they never rolled it out!

I agree with you that a professional well laid out website, a strong presence on Google and an up to date social media helps a lot. However, the actual logo, name and colours are largely irrelevant. Good website usability and real customer reviews are more important than these by a long way.

 

[stokes89]

But that again is thinking into the future by putting ‘sons’ or ‘builders’ I was going by them wanting to stay as the local handy man. As I put below that to expand that’s a change of plan which you would have to revisit.
I’m sure an elderly gentleman or lady to have shelves put up doesn’t want contractors in etc, I thought that’s the market they were going for by all the comments.

 

[fisicx]

Do you do much work with local contractors and traders? Very few of them ever want to expand past the one man band. At best they might use a mate to help out but they just don’t want the hassle of employing staff.

All of which means this whole idea of developing a brand is pointless. Most don’t even need a website.

 

[zomex]

Do you do much work with local contractors and traders? Very few of them ever want to expand past the one man band. At best they might use a mate to help out but they just don’t want the hassle of employing staff.

All of which means this whole idea of developing a brand is pointless. Most don’t even need a website.

You are both right and wrong. Nothing is as black and white as you are making it out to be.

I do have experience with contractors and trades. Many of my closest mates are trades and I've spent hours talking about it. I also build swimming pools part time which is my backup plan incase AI kills my business so I have meet a lot of different trades and had many conversations.

You have 2 sides. Those who want to keep it a one man band. Maybe they have hired in the past and been let down. But keep in mind trade work is very physical and there are thousands of people out thee who are physically struggling in their 50s/60s because they are a one man band and haven't been able to hire anyone reliable to help.

On the other side you have one man bands who want to grow a business and hire so they can move from doing physical work to managing people, finding new work and growing the business.

I know people on both sides of the table.

 

[DontAsk]

This is completely untrue, many companies like this started with 'and son', or 'builders' or 'partners' etc in their name, they either just drop that bit in future, or in many cases simply continue to use it.

Two of the biggest building companies locally to me have their name and what they do in their brand, one is called "XYZ" & Son and employ thousands as a national contractor and turn over £200m plus, the other "ABC" Builders is local, does building work and extensions, but has about ten teams on the go at any one time.

Taylor Wimpey, McAlpine, etc., etc., ... All began as someone's name.

I would trust someone trading under their own name far more than a fancy made-up business name.

 

[zomex]

Taylor Wimpey, McAlpine, etc., etc., ... All began as someone's name.

I would trust someone trading under their own name far more than a fancy made-up business name.

Carful to give too much trust on names. Taylor Wimpey are known to produce some of the worst quality housing seen in the UK

 

[Mcallismaint]

Or just use the words handyman on your van. The logo is incidental.

Have you found a new developer? One who knows how to market your business?

Yes somebody said they were going to work on my website but I haven't heard from him for a week but seemed keen to help.

Some weird ideas on here about brand. For local businesses, especially in the construction/services trades, the quality of your work and getting your reputation out there is the brand. Colours, logos, your name, people don't care.

What they will remember and want to see is your reputation and work. That means lots of real high quality reviews on Google, reviews on your website and other places people look at.

It means quality images of relevant work and testimonials from customers, who other customers can speak to if needed. That sort of thing gets you real local advocates too, who will recommend you on Facebook etc when people want a builder, plumber, roofer...

Yes great points. I'm probably also jumping the gun I only went full time on december and have hit a quiet period at the moment. I have had quite a few repeat customers which is fantastic but I think that when I've been on forums and someone says "oh my uncle advertised in a parish magazine and his local village shop and is swamped with work and has to keep turning people down, that's where I'm then looking at ways to really ramp this business up so that I do have that comfort blanket of people calling me where I'm not having to even put a post on social media.

 

[fisicx]

Yes somebody said they were going to work on my website but I haven't heard from him for a week but seemed keen to help.

Ask here. Loads of people who can help. You could get a new site up and running in an hour.

 

[Mcallismaint]

Or just use the words handyman on your van. The logo is incidental.

Have you found a new developer? One who knows how to market your business?

Yes somebody said they were going to work on my website but I haven't heard from him for a few days

Some weird ideas on here about brand. For local businesses, especially in the construction/services trades, the quality of your work and getting your reputation out there is the brand. Colours, logos, your name, people don't care.

What they will remember and want to see is your reputation and work. That means lots of real high quality reviews on Google, reviews on your website and other places people look at.

It means quality images of relevant work and testimonials from customers, who other customers can speak to if needed. That sort of thing gets you real local advocates too, who will recommend you on Facebook etc when people want a builder, plumber, roofer...

Yes great points. I'm probably also jumping the gun I only went full time on december and have hit a quiet period at the moment. I have had quite a few repeat customers which is fantastic but I think that when I've been on forums and someone says "oh my uncle advertised in a parish magazine and his local village shop and is swamped with work and has to keep turning people down, that's where I'm then looking at ways to really ramp this business up so that I do have that comfort blanket of people calling me where I'm not having to even put a post on social media

 

[Mcallismaint]

Some fantastic points on here. So much so that I have decided to change my business name to not include my name and reflect the area I work in.

Bit if a faff as Google will most likely unverify me.

I've ordered new business card to reflect the new name. It doesn't have the web address or an email on the new card as I haven't changed this yet

I'll also update social media

The I will create a new Web address to reflect the new name.

Inform bank and insurance

Is there anything else I'm missing?

 

[fisicx]

Do not change the business name! Nothing wrong the name. You just need to adjust your marketing.

 

[zomex]

@Mcallismaint what name did you end up changing to?

 

[Mcallismaint]

Happy new year! it will be called PeakPro Maintenance

 

[fisicx]

That’s an awful name. Sorry to be so grumpy but you are far better off sticking to the original.

 

[HFE Signs]

Well I'm going to say you need Magnetic Vehicle Signs, Pavement Signs & Banners

 

[Local Burak]

As I review your site, I see that it is not the worst. It is visible how much effort you put into it, which I appreciate.
Let me clarify a bit from my experience. If you are selling a home service niche to people which naturally go through calls, people most likely want to click and call you. So mobile optimization is a must in your case. Google business profile and social media will perform more than your website for sure.
I do not mean you do not need a website but if you put your effort into doing other verticals would be more beneficial to you.
Another thing for the website is the technical part. There are backlinks for which you need a strategy, you need to make a schema and rich snippets. Also index is another chapter. It takes time to see results with websites even thou you did everything in order.
I recommend you have an AI prompt website. You can easily Google and find one; there are many free ones. Once you have one, focus on other verticals, which will give you direct leads in a couple of weeks. It will not be easier than creating a website again, with much effort and technical understanding but it is more beneficial for your niche.
I hope this will be helpful. Please update me sometimes..